LED Light Wiring Instructions

Wiring the lights on your trailer in Australia is not only important for safety, but it is also a legal requirement. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of trailer light wiring in Australia, the tools and materials you’ll need, and tips for troubleshooting common wiring issues.

What Lighting do I Need on my Trailer?

The Australian Design Rules (ADR) regulates the lighting and markings for all types of vehicles, including trailers. According to ADR, trailer lights must include a brake light, a tail light, a license plate light, and a side marker light, as well as an indicator light for each direction of travel.

The most common type of trailer light wiring in Australia is the 7-pin flat system. This system includes the basic lights such as tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals, as well as a center pin for the electric brakes. It also includes a pin for a reverse light, which is mandatory to have in Australia.

How to Wire a Trailer Plug

1. Gather the necessary tools and materials: You will need a 7-pin flat trailer plug, a trailer wiring harness, a crimping tool, wire cutters, and electrical tape.
2. Locate the wiring harness on your vehicle: The wiring harness for the trailer plug is typically located near the rear of the vehicle. Consult the vehicle’s owner manual for the exact location.
3. Cut the wiring harness: Using wire cutters, cut the wiring harness to the appropriate length to reach the trailer plug.
4. Crimp the wires: Use the crimping tool to attach the wires from the wiring harness to the corresponding pins on the trailer plug. Make sure to match the correct wire colors to the correct pins.
5. Test the lights: Once the wiring is complete, test the lights on the trailer to ensure they are functioning properly.
6. Secure the connections: Use electrical tape to secure all connections and to protect them from the elements.

To wire the lights on your trailer, you will need a 7-pin flat trailer plug, a trailer wiring harness, and the appropriate wiring diagram for your vehicle. You will also need basic tools such as wire cutters, crimpers, and electrical tape.

When wiring your trailer lights, it’s essential to ensure that all connections are clean and secure. Loose connections can cause the lights to malfunction or not work at all. Also, it’s important to make sure that the wiring is correctly color-coded according to the ADR standards, as incorrect color-coding can lead to dangerous situations on the road.

If you experience any issues with your trailer lights, the first step is to check the connections to ensure they are clean and secure. If the problem persists, you can check the wiring diagram for your vehicle and trailer to see if you’ve made any mistakes. Another common issue is a blown fuse, so make sure to check that as well.

The Importance of Connections

Trailer plugs are an essential connecter between your car and any additional unpowered towing vehicle. Anything from a trailer, caravan, campervan, boat trailer to a horsebox. All objects in tow must have a plug connection to be inserted into the socket of your car. This electrical link ensures all lights, brakes and any additional attachments receive power.

Basic lighting connections include the left-hand indicator, right hand indicator, brake lights, taillights and side lights. Trying to constantly monitor your trailer lights while driving is not practical, therefore having the correct connections is vital for safe, secure towing and peace of mind.

Connectors are a mandatory component on any trailer in Australia, with standardized colours on all core wiring. The most commonly used is the 7 pin plugs. These are available flat or round, the latter available in the large type 1 connector with a 20mm PCD or the small Type 2 connector with a 13mm PCD.

Wiring your trailer can be quite confusing, so we’ve made sure our plugs at Sunrise are straight forward and simple to follow. You can view all our Electricals, lights and plugs here.
Refer to the table below to better understand what each wire connects to.

Need a hand? Chat with one of our experienced staff to find the perfect plug for your needs.

Explore our range of Plugs & Connectors here.